Recent content by varsity078740

  1. V

    Armor for pilots of American heavy bombers

  2. V

    Merlin 28 powered P-39

    Russian tactics with the P-39 were relative to their overall tactics which focused on low altitude operations, to which the P-39 was better suited. They didn't try to use the P-39 in as an interceptor against bombers operating at 20,000 feet as the USAAF did in New Guinea, a role in which it...
  3. V

    SHOULD the P39 have been able to handle the Zero? Was it training or performance?

    The P-39 was not a "dog" at 12,000 feet but at 24,000 it needed full throttle to keep from stalling. In the early part of the New Guinea campaign, the P-39 was used as an interceptor against bombers with escorts coming over the target at altitudes over 20,000. They never were able to attain an...
  4. V

    SHOULD the P39 have been able to handle the Zero? Was it training or performance?

    I don't think that history needs to be rewritten and I'm not saying for certain that he didn't shoot down the 3 Zeros. But it remains a controversial topic as noted in the 8th Fighter Groups history Attack and Conquer. Nevertheless The Air Force and the American Aces Association both credit...
  5. V

    SHOULD the P39 have been able to handle the Zero? Was it training or performance?

    Officially he's credited with 3 Zeros although contemporary records vary from one to three. None of the narratives from other pilots mention Zeros shot down by Wagner. A total of 4 claims were made for the mission. Until recently, available Japanese records shed no light on the mission, but...
  6. V

    SHOULD the P39 have been able to handle the Zero? Was it training or performance?

    There's more than a little doubt about the 3 kills attributed to Wagner on that mission. Duane
  7. V

    SHOULD the P39 have been able to handle the Zero? Was it training or performance?

    The Hellcat had a 2,000 HP two stage, two speed engine that provided superior performance over the Zero at all altitudes despite weighing much more. What ever speed advantage the P-39 had over the Zero was at low altitude and degraded rapidly at altitudes greater than 12,000 ft. which was the...
  8. V

    Japanese fighters' performance: what is the verdict?

    Paapy Gunn didn't install 75 mm guns in B-25s. Duane
  9. V

    8th Dec 1941, USAAF: you are in charge

    They didn't have much of a chance, regardless of who commanded them. Too little, too late. Duane
  10. V

    p 40 k

    The Merlin powered models were the F L. A number of pilots in North Africa, particularly in the 325th FG became aces while flying them. In the Pacific, Merlin models saw combat with several 13th AF squadrons. Robert Westbrook of the 44th FS became an ace while flying the P-40F and later the...
  11. V

    Aviation myths that will not die

    Colin Kelly sank a battleship 12/10/42 B-17s sank ships in the Battle of Midway Duane
  12. V

    AVG's aircraft question

    There were P-40Bs and P-40Cs in Hawaii, P-40Bs and P-40Es in the Philippines, and P-40Es in Java. P-40Cs were also sent to Iceland and Panama. Duane
  13. V

    Efforts to lighten the P-40E in December 41 and early 42?

    Protect and Avenge. The 49th Fighter Group In WWII. Shiffer Publishing Group
  14. V

    Efforts to lighten the P-40E in December 41 and early 42?

    True. I was referring specifically to the accident that killed McDaniel, not whether or not Brownwell's ship was lightened. Former 17th PS pilot George Kiser was also known for flying a 4 gun P-40E with reduced ammo while at Darwin with the 49th PG. Duane
  15. V

    Efforts to lighten the P-40E in December 41 and early 42?

    The P-40 you're referring to was not Brownwell's P-40E. It was a hybrid rebuilt on a P-40B airframe that apparently had one P-40E wing. It was known as the P-40 Something and was known to have vicious handling characteristics. The pilot was Larry McDaniel. Duane
See more
Back